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Rabies Found In Bat Near Garland Home

GARLAND (CBSDFW.COM) – The City of Garland has issued a health warning to residents after a confirmed case of rabies. The disease was discovered in a bat that was captured on Sunday near a home in the 1100 block of Mayfield Avenue.

The Garland Health Department confirmed the presence of the rabies virus through laboratory testing. This marks the first confirmed case of rabies in Garland since October 2009. The health department said that at least one human was exposed to the rabid bat.

Rabies is a rare occurrence in North America. The virus is generally found in wild or domesticated animals such as dogs, coyotes, raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats. It can be transferred to people through the animal’s infected saliva, introduced to the human body through bites or scratches. The infection almost always leads to death unless immediate treatment is sought.

The Garland Health Department told residents to make sure that pets are properly vaccinated against the rabies virus, and avoid all contact with wild animals. Also, residents are advised to report any unusual animal behavior to Garland Animal Services at 972-205-3570.